Establish a relationship
In these days of short turn rounds and crew changes during the day's work, what I am about to propose is getting more and more difficult but is well worth the effort:
Try meeting the CC and the whole crew before flight - preferably during their briefing. Introduce yourself and the FO. Just have a short friendly chat - point out any special points for the day (turbulence/wx - security items - new procedures - pax related items) and ask if they have any points to make. If they are running through an evac/emer briefing, the Capt/FO input can be very interesting. The Capt/FO often learn something too.
When you get on board, everybody has an idea who and how you are and you have an idea how the cabin crew are. This makes a huge difference not only in normal ops but also in an emergency situation.
Too often the extent of the contact when first meeting the CC is a question "What do you drink, water or coffee?" and not much of substance.